Venus, Andy Win while Marat Loses

Thursday, June 25, 2009 -- Venus Williams, the five-time champion had her first appearance on Centre Court last Tuesday, as she slipped and nearly fell on the grass court. Then she found her footing and defeated Stefanie Voegele.

"I really enjoyed being out there. It's a special moment when you walk back as defending champion on that court… Having won this title multiple times, you get that sense of what it takes to win," said Williams, who is seeded third. "And I definitely have a good grip on that — what it takes to win this title."

The biggest stumble was by the two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin, who plans to retire at the end of the year, lost to qualifier Jesse Levine who ranked 133rd which is his first win ever over a top-50 player.

"Not the way to finish Wimbledon story," Safin said. "But anyway, it's OK. That's life."

The No. 6 seeded Andy Roddick, a Wimbledon runner-up to Roger Federer in 2004 and 2005, followed Williams unto Center Court and defeated big-swinging Jeremy Chardy.

"As far as who's talking about what, I don't really care," Roddick said. "I just want to go out and win matches."

The new retractable roof of the stadium worked fine on the second day of the tournament. With a cloudless afternoon, the officials advised the audience to protect their skin with sun block.

"It looks really nice, the roof," Williams said. "We haven't had to use it yet. It's kind of ironic. But I'm very sure it will get some use."